FIRE PANIC IN ASYLUM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18900, 30 December 1935, Page 10

FIRE PANIC IN ASYLUM

MONTREAL, Nov. 13. Amid scenes of panic five patients at St. Jean de Dieu Mental Hospital lost their lives early to-day in a fire which destroyed the east. wing. The victims were among) the inmates of the ward for violent cases. When the outbreak occurred these patients were released from the beds to which they were strapped and many began to fight madly in their terror. Firemen lmd to drop their hoses to assist, the guards and mins in a wild struggle 1.0 control them. Seven patients escaped. Four of these rushed back into the fire, screaming and laughing, and were burned to death. Even before the London conference of 1930 set new limits to the designs, the Powers were producing smaller types infinitely betl.ev suited for cruiser duties. Torpedo craft appear to be on the verge of a new cycle. Motor-driven smalt craft, arc gaining favor. The secret ly - built. German’ flotillas of coastal motorboats are only suitable in sheltered waters, but, the ‘technical experience gained from their use may I each .something new about the questions of .size and seaworthiness. The idea of armoring destroyers is being discussed and it, is likely they will become, scouts or light cruisers rather than torpedo-boats, their work in Ibis field being done by small, motor-driven torpedo-droppers.